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Note they have CAD files for almost all of their products which - in combination with a 3D printer - can come in very handy.

georgefrowny 1y ago
And they download directly as files, not wrapped in a zip that you have to mess around with before you can put the actual file you need where you want it.
- netsharc 1y ago
  That makes me wonder if "files" is a space that needs (in startup-talk) "distruption": what about a utility that applies rules to files, e.g. if you save a file in the directory unzip-me, it'll be unzipped. Or categorize files, e.g. "this email attachment is related to project A, this download is related to project B", and the utility will take care of them, e.g. by putting them in the correct directories? Since this is HN it can't be a homebrew open-source solution, it'll have to be AI-enhanced and cost 25.99 a month. Who wants to fund me?
  - thepuppet33r 1y ago
    This sort of thing has existed for a while, but it's not picked up in the mainstream for two main reasons (at least based on my anecdotal evidence). 1. The friction between a zipped file and an unzipped file isn't enough to make the majority of users take the time to build out an automation. This is especially true now that in Windows you can open a zip file by double-clicking it, peruse the files, and open them from within the zip into your temp storage. 2. It's a little bit of a security risk. Downloaders are (generally) less vulnerable to side channel attacks, but the unzip software people usually use (7-zip, Window's native utilize, WinRAR) are slightly more vulnerable. This risk goes up with any automation software as a) you aren't auditing what you're actually unzipping, and b) the automation can be compromised. But if you want to try this out, just search for "auto unzip" software and you'll find plenty of tools. You could also set up a cronjob on your Linux machine to run every so often and just scan a folder for zip files and unzip them automatically, with the option to trigger via alias'd command.
throwawaymobule 1y ago
This makes great business sense, since you can fit-test any part and know you're getting the right one before ordering. IIRC, there's even plugins for some CAD programs to grab models by part number.
- jacquesm 1y ago
  Yes, that's exactly how I use it. I've also had use cases where I needed something now and didn't mind a plastic part for actual use because I knew the load would be light.
bdcravens 1y ago
Fusion 360 integrates this, letting you include their products in your designs/assemblies.

georgefrowny 1y ago

And they download directly as files, not wrapped in a zip that you have to mess around with before you can put the actual file you need where you want it.

netsharc 1y ago
That makes me wonder if "files" is a space that needs (in startup-talk) "distruption": what about a utility that applies rules to files, e.g. if you save a file in the directory unzip-me, it'll be unzipped. Or categorize files, e.g. "this email attachment is related to project A, this download is related to project B", and the utility will take care of them, e.g. by putting them in the correct directories? Since this is HN it can't be a homebrew open-source solution, it'll have to be AI-enhanced and cost 25.99 a month. Who wants to fund me?
- thepuppet33r 1y ago
  This sort of thing has existed for a while, but it's not picked up in the mainstream for two main reasons (at least based on my anecdotal evidence). 1. The friction between a zipped file and an unzipped file isn't enough to make the majority of users take the time to build out an automation. This is especially true now that in Windows you can open a zip file by double-clicking it, peruse the files, and open them from within the zip into your temp storage. 2. It's a little bit of a security risk. Downloaders are (generally) less vulnerable to side channel attacks, but the unzip software people usually use (7-zip, Window's native utilize, WinRAR) are slightly more vulnerable. This risk goes up with any automation software as a) you aren't auditing what you're actually unzipping, and b) the automation can be compromised. But if you want to try this out, just search for "auto unzip" software and you'll find plenty of tools. You could also set up a cronjob on your Linux machine to run every so often and just scan a folder for zip files and unzip them automatically, with the option to trigger via alias'd command.

throwawaymobule 1y ago

This makes great business sense, since you can fit-test any part and know you're getting the right one before ordering. IIRC, there's even plugins for some CAD programs to grab models by part number.

jacquesm 1y ago
Yes, that's exactly how I use it. I've also had use cases where I needed something now and didn't mind a plastic part for actual use because I knew the load would be light.

bdcravens 1y ago

Fusion 360 integrates this, letting you include their products in your designs/assemblies.